By Charles Potts II

The fragrance of dog poop and hope are in the air as soon as you step inside the dog park. You can sense the presence of frustration.

Barkleyville Dog Park, Stockton’s only dog park, is a safe haven for all dogs alike.

The park is huge for Stockton because this park means something to the people that go faithfully with their pets. Mary Kessler has been coming to Barkleyville for “about a year.”

She considers the location “very convenient, very nice.”

Barkleyville has the distinction of being Stockton’s only designated dog park. There are two other parks in the city with designated dog areas: P.E. Weston and Michael Faklis.

The Barkeyville location, on Feather River Drive, is large, encompassing nearly four acres.

Prior to this dog park being constructed dog owners had few place to go, which meant walking their dog around the neighborhood and hoping they didn’t make a mess.

Barkleyville is more than a park it’s where likeminded people get together. This park is where diverse people meet and get to know each other while their dogs do the same.

“We get together for dinner,” said Vanessa Vanschoik

This park makes it possible for different people to interact probably a person you wouldn’t have met if not for the dog park. The park is a sacred place for all dog owners. Vanschoik also said that they get together for Christmas brunch too.

The dogs get more out of it than the owners because they have this area where they can see all different breeds of dogs.

For dogs who want to compete, stay fit, or be casual there are activities for the big dogs and small dogs.

Vanschoik is a person who really cares about her and her dogs and making a difference in children’s lives which is awesome.

The students in the class she teaches really benefit from the dogs because it calms them down and helps the focus.

Still, dangers remain, particularly from human counterparts.

“Someone spent a $1,000 on their dog because they ate a cigarette butt,” said Kessler.

A public-service announcement if you go to a dog park: please do not smoke cigarettes and drop the butts on the ground. Dogs are naturally curious creatures.

Barkleyville is used by people that come from all over Stockton just to exercise their dog. These dogs are so excited when they get out the car.

They are overjoyed when they can run free and do what dogs do. Getting them to leave is the hardest part for the owner and dog.

“They always run away when its time for the leash,” said Vanschoik.

The owner has to drag the dog to car, the dog is trying their hardest just to stay a couple minutes longer and thinking about till next time that sad look in their eye strikes a chord.

That’s all we want when it comes to owning a dog knowing that the things you do are making the dog happy and satisfied.

That is what people think about when they hear the name Barkleyville. A dog park is a park for dogs to exercise and play off leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners.

Barkleyville is open every day of the week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.